Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Quick -- what's the best way to leave a small carbon footprint and still be stylish? Eco Stiletto! Don't you just love their name? If you think green means having to wear birkenstocks, it's just not true.

They search the world to bring you items of interest in fashion, home, and health that let you shrink your own carbon footprint one tiny inch at a time. Here's a pair of $689 eco-licious vegan boots you can WIN by entering their contest.

They're made from organic hemp on the outside, metallic faux leather on the inside and all the packaging is recycled or sustainable. Sleek as these little puppies are, they don't use even one of the estimated 225 toxic chemicals used in the tanning process. But you've got to hurry The contest ends on January 31.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Technology can be truly amazing. Take this image, for example. David Bergman, a professional photographer,while standing on the north press platform during President Obama's inaugural address on January 20 took 220 images which were knitted together for a final image size of almost 59,783 x 24,658 pixels, for a total of 1,474 megapixels.

You can zoom in and see the smallest detail in sharp focus such as Yo-Yo Ma photographing the scene with his iPhone.

Or you can see Justice Clarence Thomas catching a few zzzz's. It's the "Where's Waldo?" of Inaugurations.

Friday, January 23, 2009

My approach to each wedding is very different from what I've seen others do. The best way to describe it is "Music Last." In other words, it's far more important for me to get familiar with each couple, find out what they are like, learn as much as I can about their tastes and sensibilities, so that I can help them reflect this back to their guests, who are friends and family. This helps me help them make their wedding celebration look and feel like a genuine expression of their personalities which ultimately makes the whole affair much warmer and and more personal. If I can find some deeper connection with the couple, then all kinds of interesting and fun things spill out during our planning sessions, and that helps me fold myself, a total stranger, into a very intimate group of friends and family at a very personal celebration. By the time we get around to discussing music, I have a much richer context in which to help me decide what will stoke the fire of their party.

What's your favorite kind of party?Personally, I like the big ones because there is usually more built-in energy in a larger crowd, and they always seem to take off on their own. But strangely, some of my favorite weddings to date have mostly been smaller ones - It is a much greater challenge, and therefore a greater accomplishment to subtly help a more intimate group of people forget themselves and get lost in the "now" of a wedding celebration. In a crowd of 250 people, If I can't get 25 people up to help me prime the dance floor, there is something wrong, but getting a group of 40 going is much narrower path, and usually requires some finesse extra finesse.

So does it have to be a dance party to be successful party?I'm a DJ, so If I had my way, every party would end up with bare feet, spilled drinks and open shirt collars, but somewhere along the way I realized that a full dance floor is not always the most accurate measure of success. I can think of a number of celebrations where best thing that I could do was stop pumping disco at a room full of people that would rather enjoy another glass of wine and some nice conversation with people they love. Playing to a crowd like this takes a whole different set of skills and a deep library, but when it's done right, people are just as appreciative as if you sent them home sweaty and sore. I count evenings like this as some of my best work.What are some of your "tricks" to get people to dance?People have been feasting and dancing at weddings for thousands of years, so I just try to maximize the elements that encourage that impulse rather than think some gimmick will help me get the boulder rolling. Believe it or not, a well-considered and expertly executed timeline is a most effective offensive tactic. The best thing I can do is try to set people on the right path early on in the evening and the rest sort of takes care of itself as long as I have the good sense to stay out of the way. But if I find the party needs a little extra push, I have found that personal information I have gleaned through my "Music Last" approach serves me very well - Perhaps I have knowledge of a favorite Aunt who loves to Cha Cha or family friend who knows all the words to some silly song is all it will take to tip the scales. Finding a way to give guests permission to rise to the occasion and put their energy to work always works better than anyhting I could ever do or say. It's their party after all.

What single piece of advice would you give couples trying to hire a DJ if they can't hire you?Hire someone you'd want to invite to your wedding. Try to find someone that you feel really "gets" who you are as a couple, and is someone that you can imagine getting along with your college friends, Grandparents and new in-laws. This is the person who will likely seem less like a foriegn body, and more like a trusted friend - someone you feel comfortable putting in front of your friend and family with a loaded microphone and power over the playlist.

We've worked with Ron at a number of weddings. He unfailingly gets the party going and keeps it going, while doing it in a refined way. A nicer guy you'll never meet. Come see him in action at Wedding University!

Wedding University

Sunday, February 8, 11 AM - 5 PM

Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley

2050 University Avenue

East Palo Alto

$25 for 1 | $40 for 2 guests

At Wedding University, well-respected professionals will guide you through the fundamentals of planning your wedding. Topics include floral and tabletop design, music and dance, catering and menu planning (and tasting!), wedding coordination,photography and videography.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

How important are linens and chair covers to the overall look of a wedding?

An event will come to its full potential when colors and textures are used appropriately… and linens and chair covers are the way to maximize this effect. Venues that have neutral backdrops are a blank canvas to accentuate linens and chair covers, setting the entire mood and style of the wedding. A ballroom can become a tropical oasis in vibrant tones of citron greens, fuchsia, and mandarin, or become an elegant affair with a subtle stardust toned bustled chair cover. Once you have the right linens, everything will follow accordingly.

Can a client really afford linens if they are on a tight budget?

Of course! It's all about distributing the budget for decor and flowers. We have a large inventory of many different linen options. We have no set packages; everything you order is a la carte. You can order a specialty overlay just for your sweetheart table or overlays for all of your tables. All the account managers at Wildflower Linen have a design background and can assist you in choosing your table décor. And, with price ranges starting from $15, you are sure to find something that will fit your taste and budget.

Where do you get all your inspiration from when creating unique linens?

We get our inspiration everywhere from as common as our surroundings to the extreme fashion runway. Youngsong Martin, a former fashion designer, gets new ideas constantly and has a visionary eye to forecast up and coming trends. Wildflower Linen is a trendsetter, not only in table top and chair covers, but also design in general. We are always up to date with current and future trends/colors and love sharing our fashion ideas and style with our vendors and clients.

What’s the difference between Wildflower Linens and other linen companies?

Wildflower Linen has exceptional customer service and is a fashion forward company. We are always adding to our linen collections and Young is always on the cutting edge of design. We also are known for customizing linens to match the client's taste. No other linen company can design custom linen just for you. This also shows how close and personal we get to know our clients.

What are today's trends of colors and tablescapes?

We are always coming up with new trends and colors. For this year, it's all about soft, bright colors and similar shades put together. For instance, a combination of tone on tone shades of pinks, from pale blush to hot pink, are very in right now! Other colors like champagne, mauve and blush rose are also making their way to table tops. Accents like ruffles, ruching and chiffon swirls play a large part in pulling this whole romantic look together.

At Wedding University, well-respected professionals will guide you through the fundamentals of planning your wedding. Topics include floral and tabletop design, music and dance, catering and menu planning (and tasting!), wedding coordination,photography and videography.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Life…living life to the fullest is what inspires me.Good, bad and everything in-between, I breathe it all in everyday and I am inspired by all of the joy, emotions of the day.I have always felt that I can’t take an honest picture until I can feel the emotion of the moment.

What makes you and your services different from other photographers?

beauty, art…film.My tagline emphasizes that I shoot real film.I also shoot digital but it’s my love and dedication to film that makes it my true passion.My clients come to me because they appreciate the fine-art look and quality of film.Film, especially b&w film has wonderful grain and texture that gives the photos a beautiful and organic quality.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a wedding photographer?

The most common problem I run into is not having enough time to get all of the photos that I want to tell your wedding day story.Hire a great wedding planner and work with your photographer to make sure they have enough time to get all the photos you want.

Why is there such a wide rang of pricing when it comes to photography?

Photographers offer anything from “a la carte” pricing to “all-inclusive” packages which range from inexpensive to very expensive.Usually the price a photographer charges will depend on their experience, reputation, creativity and quality of product and service.Because photography is an art form and art is subjective, it can sometimes be difficult to compare pricing.Just remember that you get what you pay for.

What is the best advice you can give to couple when planning their wedding?

Your wedding day will fly by before you know it and hopefully you have hired a good photographer to help you remember your day.Make a promise with your fiancée that you will take a few minutes out of the wedding day to step back and soak it all in.My fondest memory of our wedding day is when Nancy and I stepped away from our reception and snuck up to the balcony of the Great Room at Kohl Mansion. We spent a quit moment alone and observed all of our friends and family from afar.

Come hear more of Kevin's good advice at Wedding University.

Wedding University

Sunday, February 8, 11 AM - 5 PM

Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley

2050 University Avenue

East Palo Alto

$25 for 1 | $40 for 2 guests

At Wedding University, well-respected professionals will guide you through the fundamentals of planning your wedding. Topics include floral and tabletop design, music and dance, catering and menu planning (and tasting!), wedding coordination,photography and videography.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Yes! Having at least one assistant for every wedding I coordinate is an essential facet of providing the high quality of service, which is a hallmark of Jean Marks Weddings. By having one or more well-trained assistants who manage the set up for the ceremony and reception, make s

ure the limos are on eimt, etc., I can essentially be in "two place at once" by maintaining close phone or radio communication. This allows me to focus on the bride's and groom's needs as the day unfolds.

Providing the relaxed, yet well orchestrated day I promise my clients requires that I am also relaxed. And I am, knowing that my team and I have everything under control.

Do you have any tips for brides and grooms? Things that are often overlooked?

It is very important for the bride and groom, but particularly the bride, to make time to eat some simple protein and drink lots of water during the day. I always take a "lunch order" for my brides, and provide exactly what they would like to eat on their wedding d

ay, even though they will be excited, distracted and busy. I have provided everything from a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to fresh sushi. If they neglect to eat and drink water, a massive headache may be awaiting them after the ceremony, just when they need to be flying high in the celebration.

What is your favorite way to spend a day off?

First, I have a leisurely cup of strong coffee, with a yummy walnut sticky bun, in my P.J.'s. Then I put on my old gardening clothes, gather my gardening tools and fertilizer and head out to my garden to pamper my roses and other perennials.

I take off my watch and leave my cell phone inside to create a "mini vacation". By dusk I am ready to come in, make a simple dinner of perhaps salmon, vegetables and salad, and enjoy it with my husband Jeff. After dinner, we take a walk in downtown Palo ALto, stopping for a decadent dessert or ice cream cone, depend

ing on the weather. I really like a simple, quiet day off! Sigh.

Do you keep in touch with your clients after the wedding day?

I try to reconnect with my couples a month or so after the wedding just to reminisce, look at photos and get any feedback they have for me about my service or the service of any of their professionals. It is heartwarming to see how we have developed strong friendships during the planning process and that we all want to stay connected.

What do you enjoy most about being a wedding planner?

I smile a lot at Christmas time when I receive the photos of all the babies who have come into the lives of my previous clients...somehow I feel like an Auntie, and that really makes me smile!

To meet Jean and hear more tips for planning your wedding, come to Wedding University!

Wedding University

Sunday, February 8, 11 AM - 5 PM

Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley

2050 University AVenue

East Palo Alto

$25 for 1 | $40 for 2 guests

At Wedding University, well-respected professionals will guide you through the fundamentals of planning your wedding. Topics include floral and tabletop design, music and dance, catering and menu planning (and tasting!), wedding coordination,photography and videography.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

'Tis the season to be jolly. Oh wait! Didn't that just pass? No! We woke up to another Christmas morning when we saw that Project Wedding had written a flattering blog post about us. Go here to see what they said. We're blushing!

This is one of our favorite wedding websites because it is the complete package.

1. The website is nicely designed, visually streamlined and easy to navigate.

2. Project Wedding has a very complete list of wedding professionals.

3. It has a lot of reviews of wedding professionals BY BRIDES! It's like Yelp for Weddings.

If we had just one word to describe Project Wedding it would be elegance, where elegance is the attribute of being unusually effective and simple; frequently used as a standard of tastefulness and refined grace.

Project Wedding = Project Elegance.

P.S. Thanks to Events by Evonne, our secret Santa who brought us to Project Wedding's attention.

At Wedding University, well-respected professionals will guide you through the fundamentals of planning your wedding. Topics include floral and tabletop design, music and dance, catering and menu planning (and tasting!), wedding coordination, photography and videography.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Who is your ideal client?I love working with couples who are eager to share their personalities with me. An important part of my job is to offer ideas on personalizing wedding details. The more I know about the couple, the better equipped I can be with ideas! My ideal clients are couples who want their guests to discover details throughout the wedding that

are reflective of their taste and personalities. For example, I once worked with a fun-loving bride with the last name Chao. Her groom's last name happened to be Fung. They had always had a good laugh with the combination of their names... Chao-Fung which sounds like the Chinese noodle dish "Chow Fun". So, we had a pyramid of Chinese takeout boxes filled with Beef Chow Fun for guests to take home at the end of the evening as a late night snack. We posted a sign and listed all the ingredients for "Beef Chao-Fung". At the end of the ingredients list was "and lots of love". Guests were endlessly amused.Do you think you'll ever run out of creative ideas?The answer is no. There are a ton of ways

one single theme can be carried out and executed. My primary source of inspiration is the couple. Since every couple has different tastes, different interests, different personalities, and different love stories that make them unique, I'd like to think that I will never run out of ideas!

What do you most enjoy about your work?I see wedding design as a puzzle. There are so many pieces that need to come together seamlessly in order to make a design work. Not only does everything from the shape of a candle container to the gobo projection on a ceiling need to work harmoniously together, but they need to be reflective of the couple's style and taste.I become really excited after I've established a design concept that represents the couple's vision for their wedding. I ca

n never wait to brief trusted vendors on a concept. I love brainstorming with the wonderful invitations designers, floral designers, lighting companies, and cake makers that I've been fortunate enough to partner with. We feed off of each other's creative energy. And the results are magical! I'm always blown away by their superb execution. It's very gratifying to see all the pieces of the puzzle fit perfectly together. It's even more gratifying to see the looks on the faces of couples on the day of their wedding as they marvel at how well the details have all come together and celebrate their union in an environment that completely represents them.What style of weddings do you like to work on?I honestly do not have a favorite style! Whether it be a casual "Rustic Country Garden" wedding at a winery, a hip "Urban Modern" wedding in a museum, or a formal "Hollywood Glamour" wedding at San Francisco City Hall, I like them all. Carrying out any specific style with all the details is what is most exhilarating to me.

How do you know when you have succeeded on a project?When a couple finds the time on their special day to pull me aside, give me a big bear hug, tell me that the wedding turned out better than they could have ever imagined and that I've made their dream come true.

Come hear Gloria tell you more about how to beautifully design your wedding at Wedding University.

At Wedding University, well-respected professionals will guide you through the fundamentals of planning your wedding. Topics include floral and tabletop design, music and dance, catering and menu planning (and tasting!), wedding coordination, photography and videography.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

No. Ballroom dancing usually involves extensive training and competition. The goal of social dancing is proficiency and fun, which are quickly achieved.

photo credit: Herman Privette

How are you different from traditional dance studios?I offer a less formalized approach to partner dancing than that offered in most traditional dance studios. My method focuses less on footwork, more on proper upper body posture, the closed position hold, and simple variations that can be easily led and comfortably followed. My goal is for you to feel confident and have fun, rather than memorize steps and patterns. After just one session, I guarantee you’ll be dancing out the door. If you can walk, you can dance.

What can we expect in a lesson?

I don’t clock the hour, so once we get together, we will accomplish a beginning, middle and end of a dance. The lesson usually lasts 90 minutes, but our session can be extended if needed. You’ll be provided with a personalized GLINKA GUIDE to recap your lesson, to help you retain the personal instruction and you will receive digital photos taken during our session. I find it is a helpful tool to enhance the opportunity of snapping that perfect shot on your wedding day.

How will we remember after only one lesson?It only takes 24 hours for the instruction to get from your brain to your feet and for you to retain and recall what you’ve learned. Once you establish muscle memory with our simple tips and tricks, your subconscious will start blending the music with your body movements.

Why is it important to learn to dance?

You will become aware of opportunities to dance to the music as you journey through life now that you have my simple road map. Muscle memory will easily recall the variations we explore and those that you create on the spot. You’ll be amazed how your perception of music changes and instead of sitting and listening, you will get up and dance - together.

Can you help us find the perfect first dance tune?

Yes. I’ve collected an eclectic list of tunes available upon request. I suggest an upbeat tempo for your first dance; you’ll have more fun on the dance floor as your guests cheer you on.

Come see Cynthia burn up the dance floor. In fact, come dance with Cynthia!

At Wedding University, well-respected professionals will guide you through the fundamentals of planning your wedding. Topics include floral and tabletop design, music and dance, catering and menu planning (and tasting!), wedding coordination and photography and videography.

Friday, January 09, 2009

Smitten. That's how we feel about Smitten Invitations and Melissa's Smitten Blog. We've been fans for a long time of this very talented invitation designer who has a very stylish line of custom 'couture' letterpress invitations, STD cards, note cards, and all things to do with stationery and pretty paper.

She also has a big heart. She understands brides who crave style, but are on a budget. So, she has came up with an incredible idea. She created artwork which you can purchase to design your own invitation. You personalize the design (STD, note card, or program), send it in and it will be reviewed by a typographer. The final art will be mailed to you on a CD. Then you print the invitations. Mission accomplished! Style on a budget. What a thoughtful lady!

We were thrilled to be mentioned in Melissa's Smitten blog this morning and we thank Evonne of Events by Evonne in Hawaii for mentioning us to Melissa. Evonne's blog is also full of wonderful ideas that any bride could adapt to her own wedding. We are so lucky to know so many wonderful people in the wedding industry who understand brides and grooms and genuinely care about them.

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

How do you know which and how many instruments to choose for the ceremony music?Whether its Brass, Strings, Keyboard, Harp or Guitar the actual color or character of the sound is less important than what they play. The tune titles express both a mood and tell something about the bride and groom--their personality and experiences. Within the 30 minutes prior to the Processional March, try and define those qualities. The type of instruments that best express those qualities will follow naturally.

Can the same ceremony musicians play during cocktails and dinner? This is an important question when trying to stretch your entertainment dollars. Some instruments play certain styles better than others. A Harp does not play much jazz but does play contemporary ballads. Brass does great Fanfares but is not really appropriate for Latin music. A single instrument can work for a ceremony but will get drowned out during the later functions.

How important is it for the dance band to play a wide range of styles rather than just a few?Think of it as a window through which you can control how much is seen. Will your horizon include: Opera, Motown and Country Western or a more narrow slice of the sound spectrum? Will it include only Big Band, add some 1950's Rock, or go way beyond that all the way to Today? And will you want to dance to each style presented, including Tango? At the end of the day how will you want to feel about the experience you had with your guests?

At Wedding University, well-respected professionals will guide you through the fundamentals of planning your wedding. Topics include floral and tabletop design, music and dance, catering and menu planning (and tasting!), wedding coordination and photography and videography.

Monday, January 05, 2009

How did you get started in the business? After planning my own wedding, I loved the whole aspect of wedding décor. Since I married a top notch Bay Area wedding photographer I got to see first hand how passionate, committed, and gracious the wedding industry was and I knew that I wanted to be a part of a group of passionately, creative people who get to help other couples make their wedding day as special as my own.

What do you love most besides your job?I am an avid reader and I usually read about 100 novels a year. My favorite books vary. They range from classics like Pride and Prejudice to contemporary fiction like the Twilight series. Beyond that, I am often teased that I am a perpetual traveler. Being from the Bay Area, you’ve got to be inspired by food and I am. On the weekends, you will find me exploring the many different neighborhoods within the City and walking my dog, Chin Chin.

What is your favorite flower to work with?I go through phases and each season I fall in love with a different flower. For me, it’s about newness. It’s about what flower looks best and how well they hold up. Of course the more unusual it is, the more I tend to want to try to incorporate it into design. For many years, hydrangea was a favorite. Viburnum is also up there. During the spring time, I fall in love with buttercups and anemones. This past year, the Phalenopsis orchids were just stunning. Sometimes, it’s the color of a flower that surprises me. And even the modest carnation can be a dream flower especially when it’s a deep plum hue.

Any advice to brides on how to save money? I have several suggestions. If you have a beautiful church, put more of your flower budget towards your reception flowers. Instead of doing all tall centerpieces, I often suggest a mixture of tall arrangements interspersed with some medium to lower arrangements. Work with a florist who has a lot of props or rental items so you can avoid purchasing containers and props.One sure way to save is to get married off season in the winter months. Possibly the simplest solution is to get married on a weekday (non-holiday).

At Wedding University, well-respected professionals will guide you through the fundamentals of planning your wedding. Topics include floral and tabletop design, music and dance, catering and menu planning (and tasting!), wedding coordination and photography and videography (taught by yours truly, Savadelis Films).

Sunday, January 04, 2009

What's the best way to usher in the new year? By celebrating the best of the old year. So, for those of you who don't read enough blogs, here are the 2008 weblog awards. A blog you never dreamed of may catch your fancy. Enjoy!

Saturday, January 03, 2009

I've been inspired for a long time by Liene Stevens' blog, Blue Orchid Designs. She has fresh, daily information for brides and for wedding professionals. No wonder she is so popular! She started a series in late 2008, Wedding Vendor Hiring Guide, in which she poses and answers 5 questions pertinent to each specialty. She's already blogged about catering, churches, DJs, florists, officiants, photographers, planners, venues and videographers. What a great idea!

So, I modified the idea slightly and asked the professionals who will be instructors at the Wedding University, Feb 8 at the Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley in East Palo Alto to pose some questions they WISH a bride and groom would ask, and then provide a brief answer. These questions will go beyond the necessary questions about hours of service provided, pricing and what the professional will be wearing to reveal a little more about the way these top-notch professionals think.

Thursday, January 01, 2009

There are two ladies, Ami Elizabeth and Rebekah Anne who have been friends from childhood. They see the beauty in life all around them. They share their observations, insights and the submissions of many like-minded ladies in their two wonderful blogs about design in weddings and design in everyday living. We are not alone in admiring their sense of style because they are, without doubt, one of the Top 50 Wedding Blogs in the country.

They have also compiled a Library of the Best of the Best professionals in the wedding industry and surprise! We woke up on New Year's Day to find we were added to Elizabeth Anne Designs' illustrious Library! We are honored to be in the company of people we admire in our own field and in other fields.